Jalandhar, Jul 17 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday dubbed the AAP government in Punjab “Kattar Beiman” which neither has clean intentions nor honesty, and claimed a collapse of law and order in the state where even police stations are not safe.
“The law and order situation is in shambles in Punjab, where no one can predict when or where a gang war might break out or from which direction bullets might fly,” Modi said.
The prime minister was addressing a gathering here after launching and laying foundation for rail and road infrastructure projects worth Rs 5,470 crore, including 75 redeveloped railway stations in 20 states across India.
“Extortion demands are being made openly in Punjab, where even police stations are not safe in the face of frequent attacks,” Modi said.
Taking a dig at the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), a former NDA ally, the prime minister said it is not concerned about the welfare of the public as it is caught up with its own affairs.
With Assembly elections in Punjab scheduled for early next year, Modi said only the BJP can bring real change and work to build a developed and prosperous Punjab.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu, and senior state BJP leaders, including its Punjab unit chief Kewal Singh Dhillon, Sunil Jakhar, Tarun Chugh, Manoranjan Kalia and Ashwani Sharma were present on the occasion.
The infrastructure projects are aimed at strengthening connectivity, improving passenger convenience and accelerating economic development in the region, officials said.
Terming the AAP regime “Kattar Beiman” with no clean intentions or honesty, the prime minister said that debts are being raised in the name of Punjab, and a large portion of the budget is being spent on servicing that debt, while those running the state government are enjoying the benefits of that money.
“Development work across Punjab has come to a standstill. The only projects that are being showcased are all initiatives of the government of India,” Modi claimed.
“But Jalandhar is now becoming a witness to development,” he added, referring to the unveiling of multiple development projects here.
“Punjab is witnessing an open loot under AAP. Crores of rupees sent by the Centre could have been used to build roads, canals, mandis,” he said.
The prime minister also said that although Punjab does not have a BJP government, the BJP-led NDA at the Centre is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the state’s development.
Attacking the Congress, Modi said, “What was the condition of Railways before 2014? The then-Congress government would simply make false announcements about new trains and then just sit back.”
He also said that the infighting in Congress’ Punjab unit over the chief minister’s chair seems never-ending.
“They are not fighting for people – they are fighting among themselves,” Modi said.
Earlier, the prime minister flagged off the Amritsar (Chheharta)-Varanasi Sant Ravidas Express, establishing a direct rail link between the two prominent spiritual and cultural centres.
Modi reached Jalandhar after unveiling several projects in Chandigarh and Haryana’s Jind, where he flagged off India’s first hydrogen-powered train.
This was Modi’s second trip to Jalandhar this year after he visited the Dera Sachkhand Ballan in February.
The visit is being seen as a political outreach ahead of the 2027 Punjab polls, which the BJP is preparing to fight on its own.
The prime minister earlier inaugurated 75 redeveloped railway stations in 20 states under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Under the project, modern, passenger-friendly facilities have been added to the stations at a cost of about Rs 1,570 crore. PTI CHS SUN VSD ARI
